1986 Chevrolet Malibu
Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1989 | 3 |
| 1997 | 443 |
| 1998 | 976 |
| 1999 | 789 |
| 2000 | 922 |
| 2001 | 721 |
| 2002 | 566 |
| 2003 | 569 |
| 2004 | 1147 |
| 2005 | 975 |
| 2006 | 1115 |
| 2007 | 977 |
| 2008 | 987 |
| 2009 | 1509 |
| 2010 | 1357 |
| 2011 | 976 |
| 2012 | 904 |
| 2013 | 834 |
| 2014 | 349 |
| 2015 | 267 |
| 2016 | 834 |
| 2017 | 696 |
| 2018 | 687 |
| 2019 | 188 |
| 2020 | 190 |
| 2021 | 74 |
| 2022 | 86 |
| 2023 | 49 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2025 | 7 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 1 complaint on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
1 of 1 total report mentions: seat belts.
Show complaint excerpts
FRONT PASSENGER LATCHING MECHANISM IS STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19950523
SAFETY TIMELINE
No recalls on file for this model year.
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1986 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for seat belts issues (1 reports on file for this year).
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1986 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most-reported component is seat belts:front:buckle assembly, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 Chevrolet Malibu have?
No recalls are on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.